What does "data integrity" ensure in the context of encryption?

In the context of encryption, "data integrity" refers to the assurance that the information has not been altered or tampered with during transmission or storage. This is crucial because even minor modifications to data can lead to significant errors in interpretation and processing. Integrity checks often involve using hash functions or checksums that confirm the data received or accessed is identical to the original version. If any changes are detected, it indicates that the data may have been compromised, leading to potential security breaches or misinformation.

Options related to access control, secure storage, or data compression do not address the core concept of data integrity. While ensuring authorized access is important for confidentiality and storing data on secure servers enhances overall security, these aspects do not directly relate to whether the data remains unchanged. Similarly, data compression may optimize storage and transfer but does not pertain to the integrity of the data itself. Thus, the correct choice emphatically captures the essence of what data integrity guarantees in the encryption framework.